Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense Ehud Barak held a private meeting in Jerusalem this morning (Monday, 16 June 2008) with US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice. The two discussed regional, political and security issues.

After their private discussion, they were joined by Palestinian Authority Prime Minister Salam Fayyad for a trilateral discussion which centered on promoting economic projects in the Palestinian Authority. DM Barak stated that "Israel will continue its support of the promotion of economic projects in Judea and Samaria".

The issue of law enforcement and public order activities by Palestinian security forces in Judea and Samaria was also discussed. DM Barak stressed once again that the IDF bore ultimate responsibility for security in the region.